Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $200 Of 2023

Having audio playing in your headphones or earbuds can help to motivate you during runs/jogs. A nice pair of wireless earphones are likely the best bet. They stay in your ears, sound great and don't have any wires to get tangled while running.

Not all wireless earbuds are created equal, though. In this article, we'll go over the best wireless earphones for running with a price tag under $200 USD.

The top 5 best wireless earphones/earbuds for running under $200 are:

Aftershokz Aeropex
Beats Powerbeats High Performance
Jabra Elite 75t
Jaybird Vista
Sony WF-SP800N

You may be thinking that $200 USD is pretty expensive for a pair of earbuds. This is true. However, at this price point, you'll find many of the top-performing wireless earphones.

Since we're having a discussion within the context of a price cap, I figure I should leave a link to a related My New Microphone article: Are Expensive Headphones (Or Cheap Headphones) Worth It?

What Makes A Great Wireless Earphone?

Though the term “best” is subjective, we should still list the criteria used to determine what makes a great pair of wireless earphones.

Comfort: this is perhaps the simplest yet most important criterion of any pair of earphones. Though highly subjective, factors such as weight; shape, and the overall dimension play a role in comfort.
Battery life: because wireless transmission requires power, wireless earphones will require batteries. The amount of time it takes for the battery to drain from fully charged is an important factor to consider.
Wireless specifications: do the earbuds use the Bluetooth protocol or some other type of wireless transmission? Will they be compatible with your current set up? Are the earbuds true wireless (two independent receivers for the left and right buds) or “regular” wireless (the two earbuds must be connected via a wire)? These are questions worth asking.
Frequency response: a great pair of earphones should be able to reproduce the full audible spectrum from 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz with clarity.
IP rating: presumably you'll be sweating as you run. Having a somewhat waterproof pair of earphones will do you well in this case. That means an IP rating of at least IPX3.

With that, let's get into our top 5 best wireless earphones for running under $200!

To learn more about wireless earphones before we start, please consider reading the following My New Microphone articles:
• How Bluetooth Headphones Work & How To Pair Them To Devices
• How Do Wireless Headphones Work? + Bluetooth & True Wireless

Related articles:

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

Aftershokz Aeropex

First on this list is the AfterShokz Aeropex (link to check the price on Amazon), a bone conduction headphone that does things a bit differently than typically headphones and earphones.

The AfterShokz Aeropex is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Bone Conduction Headphones and Hikers' Movement's Top 10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking.

AfterShokz' Aeropex is a bone conduction headphone. Bone conduction headphones work by vibrating our bones rather than our eardrums to elicit a response from our inner ear that our brains interpret as sound.

So these headphones/earphones don't actually go over our ears. Rather, they press against our cheekbones. This allows our ears to listen to our external environment while we're also hearing the audio we send to the Aeropex.

For more information on bone conduction headphones, check out my article The Complete Guide To Bone Conduction Headphones (With Examples).

Of course, the sound quality won't be the greatest with bone conduction headphones, and you'll have ambient noise mixed in with the audio. However, from a safety standpoint, this makes the Aftershokz Aeropex a fantastic option for runners.

That being said, the proprietary PremiumPitch 2.0+ gives the Aeropex a powerful bass response and higher volume for our listening pleasure.

The AfterShokz Aeropex is available in 2 sizes to help maximize comfort for the user. The Mini version has a band size that's 1-inch shorter than the original.

If you can stand the pressure on your jaw and/or cheekbones, then the Aeropex may be a great option for you!

The headphones' IP67 rating means that these headphones are both sweat and waterproof, which is perfect for runners and joggers in any weather. Note that the charging case is not waterproof.

With a battery life of 8 hours, this AfterShokz model is great for long-distance running. It can even be used for a full week for many runners before having to be charged back up.

Bluetooth 5.0 allows for easy pairing and a secure connection to the audio device of your choice. It also has easy commands such as play, skip, pause, and back-a-track (rewind/repeat) to keep you focused on running and not on toying with your device.

The AfterShokz Aeropex comes with a 45-day return policy and a 2-year warranty.

Key Specifications:

Transducer Type: bone conduction
Impedance: no info
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 105 ± 3dB
IP Rating: IP67
Open/Closed-Back: N/A
Weight: 26 g
Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
Microphone: Duel Noise-Canceling Mic

To learn more about headphone specifications, be sure to read my article Full List: Headphone/Earphone Specifications w/ Examples.

Beats Powerbeats High Performance

The Beats Powerbeats High Performance (link to check the price on Amazon) are second on this list.

The Beats Powerbeats High Performance is also featured in Hikers' Movements' Top 10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking.

Beats may not give us a whole lot to go off of in terms of specifications, but they do produce a great product for runners. That product, of course, is the Powerbeats High Performance earphones.

These wireless earphones utilize Class 1 Bluetooth via an Apple H1 chip and pair easily to standard audio devices and smartphones. They offer the typical user controls like play/stop, skip, volume control, accept/end call and voice assistants like Siri.

With a rating of IPX4, the High Performance Powerbeats aren't totally waterproof, but they'll easily withstand a sweaty workout and a bit of rain.

In typical Beats fashion, the bass is accentuated in these earphones. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your personal tastes. Sometimes that extra low-end can help push you to dig deep during longer runs or sprints!

These earphones offer up to 15 hours of listening time with a full charge with an optional Fast Fuel 5-minute charge for an additional hour when the battery is low.

The earphones are easily adjustable for security and comfort. The secure-fit ear hooks are customizable with multiple ear tip options and are made to stay in place through strenuous activity, including running.

Key Specifications:

Transducer Type: Dynamic
Impedance: no info
Frequency Response: no info
Sensitivity: no info
IP Rating: IPX4
Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
Weight: 0.93 oz. / 26.3 g
Wireless/Wired: Class 1 Bluetooth

For a bit more money, the Beats Powerbeats Pro (link to check the price on Amazon) is another superb choice.

Beats is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World
• Top 8 Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Brands On The Market

Jabra Elite 75t

The Jabra Elite 75t (link to check the price on Amazon) is a great pair of true wireless earbuds that perform very well with runners.

The Jabra Elite 75t is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• The Top Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200
• Top Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200

These 5.5g earbuds have been strictly tested for a secure fit in every type of ear. The Elite 75t comes with 3 different size ear gels (small, medium and large) to help improve the fit with different individuals.

The ergonomic shape of these earbuds makes them very comfortable and keeps them secure in the user's ears. This is important when running at all and especially when running longer distances.

Jabra's Elite Active 75t uses Bluetooth 5.0 as a wireless protocol. Pairing the buds is easy, and automatic pairing with the previous device should happen as they're taken out of the case (turned on) so long as the device is in range.

These earphones have a tremendous battery life of 7.5 hours with up to 28 hours total, with the charging case before the entire system would have to be charged via power mains. That's more than enough time for the typical run (or even a week of running sessions).

The IP55 rating means these earbuds will continue to perform throughout a sweaty workout and even in rainy outdoor conditions. Just don't drop them in a puddle!

Note that the charging case is not waterproof.

4 built-in microphones help to filter out disruptive noise during calls. Not that you'll be on the phone every time you run, but it's worth mentioning here, anyway.

These earbuds offer active noise-cancellation, which may or may not be a good idea depending on where you're running. If you need to be fully aware of your surroundings, then perhaps this feature would be useless for you. However, if you're feeling safe, ANC can help get you further into the zone by reducing the external noise you hear.

On the flip side, the earbuds offer HearThrough technology to allow some of the outside world to be heard. Turn HearThrough on in the Jabra Sound+ App. Adjustments to the EQ can be made within the app as well.

MySound technology (within the app) further enhances the earphones by first conducting a hearing test and then adjusting the EQ of the headphones appropriately, tailored to your individual hearing profile.

Jabra offers a 2-year warranty with their Elite 75t earphones.

Key Specifications:

Transducer Type: 6 mm Dynamic
Impedance: no info
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (music)|100 Hz – 8 kHz (calls)
Sensitivity: no info
IP Rating: IP57
Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
Weight: 5.5 g / 0.19 oz (each earbud)| 35.4 g / 1.25 oz (charging case)
Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
Microphone: 4 x MEMS

Jabra is featured in My New Microphone's Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World.

Jaybird Vista

The Jaybird Vista (link to check the price on Amazon) is yet another superb set of true wireless earbuds that work exceptionally well with runners.

Starting with the sound, the Vista's 6 mm milled drivers sound great out of the box with superb accuracy and low harmonic distortion. Further personalized improvements can be made via the Jaybird app (once the earphones are paired with the device of your choice), which offers infinite EQ control.

With 3 interchangeable sizes of silicone ear gels, the Vista earbuds can fit securely into pretty much any ear. The material of the ear gels combined with the ergonomic design of the earpiece itself makes for a wonderfully comfortable fit that won't fall out during runs.

A full charge of the Vista's batteries will give users 6 hours of audio. That's enough for a full week, the way I schedule my jog. It's surely enough to get through a marathon (maybe even 2)! 10 more hours are available via the charging case with a 5-minute quick charge that provides an additional hour of play time.

These earbuds utilize a Bluetooth SBC Implementation codec along with cutting-edge JBS1 technology to ensure crystal-clear, zero-lag stereo sound for video, music and calls, and a reliable connection that pairs easily with the user's phone every single time.

Its built-in microphone setup allows for calls and voice assistants, though, again, these features may not be the most useful. They are still additional features worth considering.

With an IP rating of IPX7, these compact earbuds are both sweatproof and waterproof, making them an excellent choice for running, jogging and hiking outdoors.

Note that the charging case is not waterproof.

Jaybird offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty with their Vista earphones.

Key Specifications:

Transducer Type: 6 mm Dynamic
Impedance: 23 Ω ±15% at 1KHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity: 103.5 ±1.5dB at 1KHz
IP Rating: IPX7
Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
Weight: 6g per earbud (with medium ear gel)
Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0
Microphone: MEMS – omnidirectional – -38dB ±3dB

Sony WF-SP800N

Last but certainly not least on the list is the Sony WF-SP800N (link to check the price on Amazon).

The Sony WF-SP800N is also featured in Hikers' Movements' Top 10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking.

Sony's WF-SP800N is a pair of true wireless earbuds designed for sports and makes for an excellent pair of running earphones.

With an IP55 rating, these earphones are sweat, water and dust resistant. A challenging run won't do these earbuds any harm. You can even give them a quick rinse after your run and wipe them off.

Note that the charging case is not waterproof.

Speaking of the charging case, these earbuds offer a whopping 9 hours of play time on a full charge, and the charging case offers an additional 9 hours on top of that.

Turn active noise-cancelling off (which may actually be preferred when running in busier streets or the wilderness), and that time goes up to 13 hours! If you're in a hurry, a 10-minute quick charge can get you an additional hour (with ANC engaged).

Rather than active noise-cancellation, a runner would probably benefit more from the WF-SP800N's Ambient Sound Mode, which includes the sounds from the environment into the sound the user hears.

Utilize Adaptive Sound Control within the Sony | Headphones Connect app to automatically adjust between active noise-cancellation, normal and ambient sound modes. The app will detect what you're up to and set the most to what you choose, making it easy for you to use these earbuds for more than just running.

Quick Attention is made possible by simply placing a finger over the earbud to attenuate the audio and let in ambient sound.

When it comes to sound quality, which is an important factor with any headphone, the WF-SP800Ns delivers a powerful low-end with their 1/4″ dome-type drivers. The Sony | Headphones Connect app allows us to customize the EQ of the earphones to suit our personal tastes.

With 2 sizes of arc supporters and 4 sizes of long hybrid silicon rubber earbuds, these earphones will surely fit you in some combination of the two pieces. Find the combo that works for you, and you'll have a comfortable and secure pair of earphones that sound superb.

These earbuds also have typical touch controls such as play, stop, skip and volume adjustments. We can further customize these controls through the app.

There's a lot more to these headphones, which makes them a superb option overall. We've touched the surface as to why these make for an excellent pair of running earphones. Check them out at Sony's website for even more details.

Key Specifications:

Transducer Type: 0.24″ (Dome Type) Dynamic
Impedance: no info
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: no info
IP Rating: IP55
Open/Closed-Back: in-ear
Weight: ~0.35 oz. x 2 (2.08 oz. charging case)
Wireless/Wired: Bluetooth 5.0

Sony is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World
• Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best AV Receiver Brands In The World
• Top 9 Best Car Stereo Brands In The World
• Top 11 Audio Portable/Field Audio Mixer/Recorder Brands
• Top 11 Best Soundbar Brands On The Market
• Top 8 Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker Brands On The Market

Honourable Mentions

With so many great wireless earbud options below $200, it can be hard to pick a top 5. Here are 5 more worth checking out that didn't quite make the main list:

Choosing the right headphones or earphones for your applications and budget can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Headphones/Earphones Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next headphones/earphones purchase.

Other Top Headphones/Earphones Articles

This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.

What Makes A Great Wireless Earphone?

Aftershokz Aeropex

Beats Powerbeats High Performance

Jabra Elite 75t

Jaybird Vista

Sony WF-SP800N

Honourable Mentions

Other Top Headphones/Earphones Articles

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